Appreciation of elders

Patiently awaits...

 

Just want to make clear I'm not questioning anyone's manhood. I understand the need for aerodynamic trucks and such. I tried LTL and it wasn't for me, doesn't mean it isn't an honest job that yo can make a good living at it just isn't for me and many others. I don't run illegal to much anymore and I never do for someone else's benefit. But I do enjoy my big truck with aluminum wheels and shiny dodads on it. I've been blessed I'm in a niche market which allows me to make a good living and drive a nice truck but I can respect anybody that works regardless of what they drive.

 

I love just how hardcore most people around here are about defending their choices and trying to prove it's the "one twue way"...

No tool is perfect for every job... period.

I do respect the opinions of others and actually enjoy learning why they like what they like... Even though at times it feels like a flash back to the playgrounds of the Fourth Grade... LOL

As for me...

I think I came into trucking at the perfect time, for me that is. I love technology, both personally and professionally.

So I drive an areo body auto shifter with GPS and an iPhone. I had no clue what DEF was or why it was used until I started my first job as I driver. Now when I see an older truck belching black smoke I think it's rather odd looking and flash back to seeing all that smoke in my youth. (No disrespect to anyone choosing to drive one)

I did add a CB to my newer rig and enjoy it now and then too. It has come in very handy at times but admit I have to turn it off most of the time as it's mostly some people complaining about other people or conversations that I have absolutely no interest in at all.

So, lifting a mug of craft beer, here's to the "truckers" of old and "drivers" of today... May we all find common ground and stay safe as we all try to earn a living out here.

Cheers,
MD

 

Easy answer, at that point in my career I was no more of a threat to them than them getting hit by an asteroid and they knew it. They got the steady gravy and the sweet seats and I got the #### work. It took me awhile to figure out that I needed to put in my time, make my bones, and it was going to take one of them going to the office and saying "he's a good hand" to move up.

"I wanna run the lowboy, that's the gravy train" would have got a round of laughter until someone peed themselves, they would have laughed harder at that, and then you would have been sent out to wash the lowboy to show you just how close you were to taking it on the road.

Having been through the "old days" doesn't make me any better than anyone else, just old.

 

I run a 96' WIA64TTES. Looks like a cab over with a hard on and on 24.5 talls with a tall fifth wheel I have well over a foot of ground clearance from the ground to my bumper. Most 379s and W9s sit so low they can barely get over a pot hole. Just a couple weeks ago a fellow bullhauler totaled his front end to the tune of 10 grand dropping into a pot hole at the edge of the concrete in a TS parking lot. I hit the same hole,same angle and same speed with no damage because I had so much ground clearance.

 

It will not affect me one bit either. I have a 96 with a 3406E. Mine just is more profitable to run.

 

I said if the E-log mandate goes away that's what I would get. I'm running a 96' right now. I suppose I could put a T-660 cab on top of my frame though if that E-log mandate sticks.

 

Yes I've heard it before. I make more money because I got a ###### hood. All my customers pay me a ###### truck surcharge. No they don't. I've never had a single rancher comment on the fact that I have a sloped hood or a flat hood. The rates have never changed either way either. I'm sorry to break your heart. You just spend more money and make less. I run with hoods all the time and we all turn in our Bills of lading with the same rates on em. You don't need to waste our time with part 2 unless you feel the need to further entertain us.